“We have to insist that it is possible to build a decent,inclusive society while at the same time respect the real limits to what the planet can take. And what climate change means is that we have to do this on a deadline." Naomi Klein.

We need to make the connections and understand cross impacts between population, economic growth and consumerism. Together these factors are the drivers that are causing environmental damage (climate change and pollution) and depletion of the world's resources.

​Here are two discussions on how we should understand our impact and challenge the assumption that growth is the only answer

"Like a tsunami, consumerism has engulfed human cultures and Earth’s ecosystems. Left unaddressed, we risk global disaster. But if we channel this wave, intentionally transforming our cultures to center on sustainability, we will not only prevent catastrophe, but may usher in an era of sustainability—one that allows all people to thrive while protecting, even restoring, Earth.

In State of the World 2010, sixty renowned researchers and practitioners describe how we can harness the world’s leading institutions—education, the media, business, governments, traditions, and social movements—to reorient cultures toward sustainability."

To see a view of the impact of our Consumer Society watch The Story of Stuff. The core message "You cannot run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely".